A new independent police oversight body, the Police Review Commission, officially began its operations in Alberta on Monday, December 1, 2025. The commission represents a significant restructuring of how public complaints against police are handled, aiming to deliver greater transparency and faster resolutions.
A Consolidated Approach to Police Oversight
The newly established commission will now oversee the entire police complaint process, from the initial receipt of a complaint through to investigation and any subsequent disciplinary hearings. This responsibility was previously fragmented across various police forces and agencies, including municipal professional standards branches. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been integrated into this new single entity.
At a press conference in Edmonton, Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis heralded the change. "It’s a new era for policing oversight," Ellis stated, emphasizing that the commission is designed to provide Albertans with enhanced accountability. Existing police agencies will wind down their current investigations and conclude them as promptly as possible under the new framework.
Three-Tier Complaint System and Family Liaison
The commission will categorize and handle complaints using a three-level system:
- Level One: Cases involving death, serious injury, or other serious allegations.
- Level Two: Allegations of criminal or other statutory offences.
- Level Three: Non-criminal misconduct involving officers from municipal and First Nations police services.
Complaints that fall outside these categories will be directed to other appropriate agencies. Notably, the commission also holds the power to initiate systemic reviews of police conduct or emerging trends without needing a public complaint, and the results of such reviews must be made public.
A key focus of the new model is improved communication with affected families. Michael Ewenson, the interim chief executive officer of the Police Review Commission, pledged that families will be kept informed about the status and progress of investigations. Ewenson, drawing on his experience at ASIRT, confirmed the appointment of a liaison to directly reach out to families, explain processes, and disclose outcomes.
Addressing Concerns Over "Police Investigating Police"
The commission's structure allows for former police officers to serve as members. When questioned about potential concerns regarding police investigating police, Minister Ellis defended the practice, noting that individuals with operational experience and understanding are commonly brought into oversight roles within other professional bodies.
The announcement was attended by several key figures, including Teddy Manywounds, justice and public safety director for the G4 Stoney Nakoda Tsuut'ina First Nations, and Al Murphy, president of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police, signaling a collaborative approach to the new system of oversight.
